Maintaining a lush, green lawn can be overwhelming. When you factor in the number of products on the market claiming to help, things get even more complicated.
Fortunately, having the yard of your dreams doesn’t have to be a headache. We think this guide will help by breaking down the best fertilizers for St. Augustine Grass and how to choose the right product for your lawn.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks.
Here are the 8 Best Fertilizers for St Augustine Grass
1) Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action
This fertilizer is essentially three products in one. It kills invasive weeds, like dollarweed and clover, but also repels and kills insects, like fire ants and fleas. As the name suggests, it’s also formulated for warm-weather grasses.
Why We Like It
· 3-in-1 products make life easier
· Formulated for southern lawns, specifically St. Augustine Grass
Specs
· 4M size covers up to 4,000 square feet
· 29-0-10 NPK ratio
Our Verdict
If you’re trying to improve your lawn while fighting weeds and pests, this may be an excellent choice for you.
2) Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Restore
Some people cannot tolerate the smell of fertilizer. Safer Brand has created an answer to that complaint by using plant-based nutrients to create an odor-free fertilizer.
Why We Like It
· Odor-free
· Uses plant-based nutrients instead of animal byproducts
Specs
· 25-pound bag covers up to 5000 square feet
· 10-0-6 NPK ratio
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a plant-based, odor-free fertilizer and you’re willing to pay for it, look no further.
3) Scotts Turf Builder Starter
You’ll see the Scotts name on this list more than once. This fertilizer works on all lawn types and is expected to improve your lawn quickly and substantially. It doesn’t matter what stage your lawn is at or if you’ve just seeded.
Why We Like It
· The company is recognizable and reliable for delivering a good product
· Accommodates several types of grass and soil
Specs
· The 15-pound bag that will cover up to 5000 square feet
· 24-5-4 NKP ratio
Our Verdict
Scotts delivers a quality, functional product for any lawn type.
4) Simple Lawn Solutions
Simple Lawn Solutions created a chemical-free liquid fertilizer so you can be eco-friendly and still have a lush, green lawn. This turf fertilizer contains natural and organic ingredients, including seaweed and fish.
Why We Like It
· It’s a liquid fertilizer that can be easily applied by connecting your hose to the built-in sprayer on the bottle
· The company is family-owned, and the products are American-made
Specs
· A 1-quart bottle will treat up to 3200 square feet
· 16-4-8 balance of macronutrients
Our Verdict
Seaweed and fish may seem gross, but they pack a lot of nutrients that your lawn needs. Factor in that this product is American-made and chemical-free, and it’s a good bet for anybody who’s green-conscious.
5) SeedRanch for St. Augustine Lawns
If you’re looking for a fertilizer made for St. Augustine Grass, this may be the one for you. They include iron to help improve the color of your lawn.
Why We Like It
· It is formulated especially for St. Augustine Grass.
· The addition of 6% iron should make your lawn greener.
Specs
· The 50-pound bag will treat 12,000 square feet
· 24-2-11 NKP ratio
Our Verdict
This packaging is not much to look at, but the fertilizer is formulated for St. Augustine lawns and appears to get the job done.
6) Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed and Feed
Explicitly formulated for warm-weather grasses, this fertilizer will feed your grass while attacking certain invasive weeds, like clover. It encourages grass to spread and strengthen to choke out weeds.
Why We Like It
· It strengthens the grass while fighting problematic weeds
· The formula promotes stronger root systems to protect against drought
Specs
· 5M package covers up to 5000 square feet
· 29-0-10 NPK ratio
Our Verdict
We love the weed-preventing aspect of this 2-in-1 fertilizer.
7) LawnStar High Nitrogen Fertilizer
This fertilizer makes our list because of the high nitrogen content and combination of fast-release and slow-release nutrient sources.
Why We Like It
· Concentrated nitrogen for your lawn
· 30-day guarantee from the manufacturer
Specs
· 32-ounce bottle covers up to 4000 square feet
· 30-0-0 NPK ratio
Our Verdict
If you’re fighting a nitrogen deficiency in your yard, this could solve your problems.
8) Milorganite Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
This company has provided fertilizer to golf courses for decades. Their organic fertilizer reportedly reduces the amount of watering and mowing required.
Why We Like It
· Established company and products
· An organic option that doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals
Specs
· A 36-pound bag will cover up to 2500 square feet
· 6-4-0 NPK ratio
Our Verdict
Proven results back this fertilizer, and it’s organic, but it’s also pricier than other options on the list.
Buying Guide
Phew! That’s a lot of information, and you probably have more questions. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common questions and answers to help you decide on the best fertilizer for St. Augustine grass.
What is St. Augustine Grass?
St. Augustine Grass, also known as carpetgrass, is a warm-weather grass that’s become popular along the Gulf Coast and Hawaii. It has a blue-green color, and the blades are broad with a coarse texture. Unlike many other warm-weather grasses, St. Augustine can handle moderate shade, most soil types, and higher salt levels.
When appropriately cared for, St. Augustine Grass is dense enough to handle normal amounts of foot traffic and shield against weeds. Further, St. Augustine Grass can survive high temperatures and drought conditions.
How to Care for St. Augustine Grass
Knowing how to care for your lawn is critical. Thankfully, once established, St. Augustine Grass requires very little care compared to other types of grass.
Getting Started
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to fill in an existing lawn, St. Augustine grass should be planted in early spring or late summer. Unlike other types of grass, St. Augustine is not usually planted by spreading seeds. Instead, you would place stolens, plugs, or sod.
Irrigation
Initially, new grass will require frequent watering for the first week to help the roots form. After the roots have formed or on an existing lawn, you’ll have to watch the grass for signs it needs more water. If the blades wilt or your footprint remains after walking on it, you’ll want to water.
Cutting the Grass
You should only have to mow once a week or every other week. St. Augustine grass should be kept at three to four inches high. The grass will be hardier, greener, and recover faster from stressors. It also protects against thatch.What in the world is thatch? Thatch is a build-up of organic matter on top of the soil that doesn’t decompose. It interferes with moisture retention, chemicals, and nutrients. St. Augustine grass kept at four inches will have a protective canopy over the above-ground step system.
Fertilization
Through the spring and fall, you’ll want to fertilize every thirty to sixty days to keep your grass looking green and healthy.
For more info on caring for Saint Augustine grass, check out this video below.
The Basics of Fertilizers
Fertilizers can be organic or synthetic and come in liquid or pellet form. They even provide varying concentrations of key nutrients to accomplish different outcomes. Understanding how the options can alter your outcome will help you decide on the best fertilizer for St. Augustine lawns.
Organic vs. Synthetic
Organic fertilizer is made of natural materials like manure, cottonseed meal, and crab meal. It can be animal-based, plant-based, or a combination of animal and plant matter. On the other hand, synthetic fertilizers are man-made in labs.
Organic fertilizers work with the soil to break nutrients down. They don’t add salt or acid to the soil and encourage healthy microbial activity. Synthetic fertilizers need to be used sparingly because of the higher salt content. They can give your plants a quick boost, but they can also upset the balance in the soil and trickle into local water supplies.
Liquid vs. Pellet
This decision often comes down to personal preference. Liquids, also known as soluble fertilizers are sprayed over the lawn by attaching the bottle and sprayer to your garden hose. Pellets, or granular fertilizers are delivered by a device known as a spreader and triggered by exposure to water.
There is an additional option, a subset of granular fertilizers known as slow release. They break down over weeks to extend the effects of the fertilizer.
Nutrients
Grass, like many plants, requires six nutrients to survive. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen exist in the soil, but the other three need to be added.
- Nitrogen helps leaves grow and makes them greener. Lawn fertilizers tend to have much higher nitrogen content.
- Phosphorus strengthens plants and helps roots develop. In blooming plants, it helps them produce more fruit.
- Potassium is like an immune booster for plants. It helps them fight off disease and tolerate extreme temperatures.
What do the Hyphenated Numbers Mean?
The hyphenated numbers on fertilizer packages are known as NPK ratios. An NPK ratio is just a label that quickly explains the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the product.
For example, a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 24-2-11 would be 24% nitrogen, 2% phosphorus, and 11% potassium. The rest of the product is filler to give the fertilizer form and make it easier to spread.
Other Considerations
Before selecting a fertilizer, you’ll want to consider some of the issues you’ll face. Keep in mind, weeds are not generally an issue for St. Augustine Grass because of how dense it is.
Invasive Pests
Weeds may not be much trouble, but grubs and sod worms can be problematic, so you may want to consider a fertilizer that also targets pests.
Soil Deficiencies
If your soil is lacking, your grass is going to struggle. Having your soil tested in a lab is costly, but it will let you know the pH balance of your soil and the nutrient content. They will usually tell you exactly how much fertilizer you need.However, before you pay the fee to ship your soil to a lab, you may want to test yourself. You can purchase a soil testing kit at your local home improvement store, or try one of these DIY soil tests.
Top Pick
The packaging may leave something to be desired, but SeedRanch created a product for St. Augustine grass. Not only does SeedRanch not leave out any nutrients, it added in iron to make your grass greener. You get a lot for your money and should have plenty left, so you’re not running out to buy more.
Premium Choice
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action fertilizer seems to have it all, but at a higher price than many of the other products. However, it does kill weeds and insects while feeding your lawn.
Great Value
If you’re just looking to improve your lawn without breaking the bank, you can’t go wrong with Scotts Turf Builder Starter. One package should cover a medium-sized lawn, and it will get the job done for new or existing grass.
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